Opinion
Letters

Group of residents in support of Kloovenburg Multi-Sports facility

We are writing in response to the letters regarding the Kloovenburg Multi-Sports facility.
Skeet, trap, skiing and archery are all Olympic events and it would be great to have a facility where our young people could practice.
Having multiple activities makes sense and is entirely feasible. There are 800 acres so two activities at a time without any contract is definitely possible.
We won’t be addressing the concern about animals in the area because it has been proven time after time. Animals definitely know if they are being hunted or if they are not.
Concerning lead, what you have to realize is it’s literally found in the ground.
Lead is mined from the soil and unless it is found in extremely acidic ground it remains inert. Judging by all the soil tests Kloovenburg Sports has done, there is no problem.
The Environmental Department of Canada actually has a parts per million limit for lead particles in our drinking water. This is because our water is found the same place lead is.
The Strawberry Creek Environmental Action Committee (SCEAC) is concerned about the impact that Kloovenburg may have on the area. People are still driving snowmobiles and quads on and in the creek as well as destroying riparian areas.
This is an existing problem. Farmers are still letting their cattle pasture up to as well drink out of the creek. This is an existing problem. There is an oil rig set up less than a half mile from the creek and not a blip on the radar. We also question their use of the word “pristine” when referring to the Strawberry Creek.
That is misleading people who are not aware creeks fed by runoff from farmer’s fields, pastures and barnyards could not possibly be pristine.
Exactly what kind of environmental action group are you?
You ignore existing problems and fixate on what may happen. Sounds a lot like Jane Fonda — fly out of a smog choked city, past a mountain of garbage in the Dakota’s to tell us we’re making a mess of our north country.
The SCEAC also accused Mr. Brewster of being “disrespectful.”
We found that to be the exact opposite.
Any of us who have called and asked questions or had concerns were treated in a friendly, open, calm and respectful manner.
That however cannot be said for some of the members of the SCEAC and those opposing the project.
Some residents have been bullied to tears, harassed in their place of business and intimidated until they are afraid to voice their opinions.
Another concern was for the special needs children and their close proximity to the sporting facility, stating they will be traumatized, scarred for life or forced to move out is absurd.
If that were the case than anyone with special needs children would not be able to live near fire halls, police stations, ambulance bays, train tracks, airports or major highways.
We would also like to add that no project, whether it is a highway, coal plant, mall, ski hill or grain transfer station — like the one a mile north of Thorsby, happens without affecting someone.
We are sure some of you opposing Kloovenburg were in favour of the grain facility.
People are affected there, but for the good of many, some are inconvenienced.
As our cities expand and our population grows the old adage of “not in my backyard” will become impossible.
Kloovenburg has 800 acres, which is more than appropriate for what they are proposing. We certainly hope this facility goes through so it can be enjoyed and used by many years to come.

Area Residents and Friends of Kloovenburg Sports
This group is made up of 25 area residents who are in favour of the Kloovenburg Multi-Sports facility. This letter was produced through the combined effort of the 25 members, which is why there is no single author published with this letter.

Editor’s note: The Leduc Rep has received and published letters to the editor surrounding this facility over the past few months and we appreciate all of those who have taken the time to write to us.
We are currently working on an article that will discuss what the facility is, the issues surrounding it and where the proposal is currently at in its approval process. While we want to be the voice for our readers and their opinions on topics such as the Kloovenburg facility, we don’t want any misconceptions, rumours, or opinions to be viewed as hard facts.
Previous letters published in the Leduc Rep and in our sister publication the Leduc-Wetaskiwin County Market have fully outlined opinions for both sides of the issue. For this reason, future letters on this topic will be reviewed and may or may not be published at the editor’s discretion. Regarding the article we are working on, we are looking for sources to speak with on the record so if you feel your voice needs to be heard on this issue please contact myself at broy@postmedia.com.